First electric trucks in Klaipėda set in service by DFDS
DFDS has started using electric trucks in the Klaipėda region. A total of three all-electric heavy vehicles will operate in the port area. These are the first commercial e-trucks in Lithuania.
"We are the first ones in Lithuania to provide logistics services with electric trucks. In addition, we have added three e-trucks to our fleet in Lithuania at once – it‘s the largest fleet in Lithuania. This will not only help us to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, but will also give us an additional competitive advantage, as we can ensure sustainable delivery of large volumes of goods at once," says Vadimas Radiukas, Director of DFDS Trucking.
The Volvo FH Electric electric trucks have a gross vehicle weight of up to 44 tonnes with load and can travel up to 300-380 km on a single charge. Unlike traditional diesel trucks, Volvo's all-electric trucks are environmentally friendly and will save around 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. They are also much more pleasant to drive, with low engine sound levels and no vibrations.
Investing in green solutions
DFDS, which provides freight transport services through its integrated ferry and logistics network, has set a target of having a quarter of its transport fleet powered by electric vehicles by 2030 and aims to become an environmentally neutral company by 2050.
To achieve these goals, DFDS launched an electric transport service in Belgium last year and in March this year set in service 20 electric trucks in Gothenburg, Sweden, making it the largest fleet of electric heavy vehicles in the Nordic region. By the end of 2023, DFDS expects to have a total of 127 electric Volvo trucks in its logistics network.
"Ordering and deploying a record 127 electric trucks in our transport network helps us to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals and remain a green leader in the logistics industry. But one man does not make a warrior - it requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, from vehicle manufacturers and e-infrastructure developers, to customers, government and local authorities and the public itself. Due to certain limiting factors, such as lack of charging points and charging times, electric trucks are currently best suited to serve short, recurring routes," Radiukas notes.
In the DFDS supply chain in Lithuania, electric trucks will be mainly used for short-distance freight transport in the Klaipėda region. Their main purpose will be to transport the goods of a furniture giant from their production sites to the port.